We’ve all heard the warnings about online scams. Don’t click on suspicious links, don’t give out your bank details, and be wary of unexpected messages.

But artificial intelligence is making scams much harder to recognise.

Until recently, a poorly written email or an unusual accent might have been enough to alert us. Today, scammers can use AI to produce convincing messages, photographs and even voices.

Imagine receiving a telephone call from someone who sounds exactly like your son or daughter. They’re in trouble, they urgently need money, and they ask you not to tell anyone. It sounds like them, but is it really?

AI can now imitate someone’s voice using samples from recordings or videos. It can also create realistic-looking videos of people saying things they never actually said.

So how do we protect ourselves?

The most important advice is to stop and check. If someone calls asking for money, hang up and telephone them using a number you already know. Never rely on the number displayed on your phone. If possible, visit your local bank or their call centre for advice. Your bank is your friend! It’s in their interests to stop this. 

And remember, scammers deliberately create a sense of urgency to stop us thinking carefully.

The lesson? We can no longer assume that hearing a familiar voice or seeing a familiar face means we’re dealing with the real person.

A “thank you” to Heather Newell for sending this article to The Upper Hutt Connection.

19/10/26